The St. Louis County Library Foundation's 'Buzz' Westfall Favorite Author Series is pleased to present journalist and author Geoff Dyer for a discussion and signing of his book "The Contest of the Century: The New Era of Competition with China-and How America Can Win."The event will take place at Library Headquarters (1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.) on Monday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase at the event from Left Bank Books.From the former Financial Times Beijing bureau chief, a balanced and far-seeing analysis of the emerging competition between China and the United States that will dominate 21st Century world affairs-an inside account of Beijing's quest for influence and an explanation of how America can come out on top.

The structure of global politics is shifting rapidly. After decades of rising, China has entered a new and critical phase where it seeks to turn its economic heft into global power. In this deeply informed book, Geoff Dyer makes a lucid and convincing argument that China and the United States are now embarking on a great power-style competition that will dominate the century. This contest will take place in every arena: from control of the seas to rewriting the rules of the global economy. Beijing hopes to shift the global debate about democracy and individual rights by investing billions to send its media groups overseas. Eyeing the high ground of international politics, China is taking the first steps in an ambitious global agenda.Dyer posits that if Washington can adjust to a world in which it is no longer dominant but still immensely powerful, it can withstand China's challenge. With keen insight based on a deep local knowledge, "The Contest of the Century" is essential reading at a time of great uncertainty about America's future, a road map for retaining a central role in the world. Geoff Dyer is a journalist for the Financial Times and has been a correspondent in China, the United States, and Brazil. He is the recipient of a Fulbright award and of several journalism awards. He studied at Cambridge University and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.The program with Geoff Dyer is a St. Louis County Library 'Buzz' Westfall Favorite Author Series presentation. The Westfall series features authors of politics, current issues, history, and sports. The series is co-sponsored by Jack Dubinsky and Sons; McMahon Berger; Sachs Properties; Brown Smith Wallace LLC; Royal Banks of Missouri; St. Louis Business Journal; Midwest Library Service; The Booksource; Ivey-Selkirk Auctioneers; S.M. Wilson & Co.; and Stifel, Nicolaus.